Running is one of the most natural activities the human body can perform. Over the years running has provided me with a sense of purpose and personal achievement, as well as enhancing my physical and mental wellbeing. It teaches the value of patience and the value of incremental gains over a long period. It is indeed a marathon and not a sprint.

Over more than 30 years of competition, I have covered distances from 5k to 75 miles, at home and abroad across a wide variety of terrains.

Like many runners, I started out with 10ks then 10-milers and half-marathons. For a while that was it, until I was 'encouraged' by a friend to take a charity place and run the London Marathon.

That first marathon didn't go too well, and I remember being overtaken by Rupert the Bear at about the 23-mile mark. But I learnt from that first experience and after a few further attempts recorded a marathon personal best of 2 hours 44 minutes.

From there, I branched into ultras and trail running. I love the variety of race formats, from 24-hour events around a track to 2-day mountain marathons.

I have discovered what works for me and also what doesn’t (finding out the hard way is sometimes the best way to improve).

Nowadays, in my early 60s, my pace has slowed but the endurance capability is still there. I get just as much enjoyment from training and competing as I used to. Recently I have developed a particular passion for running backyard ultras.